Home Schools University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Geosciences
Physical Sciences · Geosciences Rank #6 of 103

Geosciencesat University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Graduates earn $42,932/yr in their first year — about 8.0% above the national Geosciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $646K; scenarios range from $587K to $665K depending on AI disruption.

Milwaukee, WI Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
53 AVERAGE
54
Optimistic
54
Pessimistic
Earnings
$42,932
1-year post-graduation
ROI
15.8x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$646K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
50% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Your strong earnings potential in UWM's Geosciences program isn't surprising, given the program's national standing and Milwaukee's unique industrial landscape. The region's focus on water resources, environmental consulting, and infrastructure development creates robust demand for graduates skilled in geological assessment and hydrological analysis. UWM often fosters strong industry connections, providing practical experience crucial for careers with firms specializing in environmental remediation or urban planning.

However, the field's increasing AI risk highlights a shift towards higher-level skills. While AI can automate routine data analysis and mapping, human expertise remains critical for fieldwork, complex problem-solving, and interpreting nuanced geological data. You'll find employers value your ability to manage projects, communicate findings, and adapt to new technologies. To thrive, focus on securing internships and developing advanced analytical and interpretive skills, positioning yourself for managerial or specialized roles where human judgment is irreplaceable.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$587K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score54/100
Earnings Multiple14.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$646K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score53/100
Earnings Multiple16.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$665K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score54/100
Earnings Multiple16.6x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Geosciences graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
2
Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary
+2.6% 10-yr growth · 1,000 openings/yr
$101,390/yr
Moderate
3
Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers
+3.2% 10-yr growth · 2,000 openings/yr
$99,240/yr
Moderate
4
Hydrologists
-0.1% 10-yr growth · 500 openings/yr
$92,060/yr
High
5
Chemistry teachers, postsecondary
+2.2% 10-yr growth · 1,900 openings/yr
$86,220/yr
Moderate
6
Hydrologic technicians
-2.1% 10-yr growth · 400 openings/yr
$58,570/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Geosciences

How University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Iowa State University
IA · Public
51
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
12.0x
ROI
College of Charleston
SC · Public
51
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
10.5x
ROI
University of South Florida
FL · Public
58
DW Score
$49K
1-yr earn
22.9x
ROI
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
MI · Public
44
DW Score
$46K
1-yr earn
7.1x
ROI
Top score
University of Wyoming
WY · Public
59
DW Score
$46K
1-yr earn
24.6x
ROI
Also at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Other top programs at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Geosciences at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Geosciences at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee?

A score of 53/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Geosciences field.

Will AI replace Geosciences careers?

With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $586,656 in decade earnings vs $665,412 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.